Habitat for Humanity is working with 3D-printers to reduce the costs of construction and provide more housing for families in need.
Habitat for Humanity is enlisting the help of 3D-printing companies to fight the growing housing crisis and build more homes faster and more affordably. As Claretta Bellamy reports, high costs and material shortages have led developers, including Habitat for Humanity, to look for innovative solutions for producing low-cost housing to meet growing demand.
According to the article, a 3D-printed home built from concrete can save up to 15 percent on construction costs while still providing a "safe, affordable place to live" and the opportunity to own a home for low-income families.
"Using 3D printing to build homes provides numerous benefits, including a decrease in construction time due to the machine’s efficiency," Bellamy writes. According to Kirk Andersen of 3D-printing company SQ4D, the minimal need for on-site supervision also prevents injuries and saves builders money. And while traditional homebuilding takes six to 12 months, a 3D-printed home takes under six months to erect.
Housing advocates like Jeff Olivet, co-founder of Racial Equity Partners, say that in addition to programs like Habitat for Humanity, fighting decades of exclusionary housing policies and fixing the deeply entrenched affordability crisis will require "a national collective effort that also involves fixing housing policies and expanding services."
FULL STORY: How 3D printing can be the solution to the nation’s affordable housing crisis
Housing Affordability Crisis Spreading to More Cities
Cities like Spokane, Washington courted new residents and businesses during the pandemic. Now, they're starting to wonder if it was worth it.
World's Largest 3D-Printed Community Planned In Austin
The process aims to reduce labor hours and material waste, dramatically cutting construction costs for new housing.
Seven Ideas for Tackling the Housing Crisis
One expert's take on the housing crisis and which policy solutions might best counter it.
The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.
Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.
Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax
Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.
In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan
After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.
A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning
The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
